Can You Ace This Flashcard Spelling Test in Less Than 7 Minutes?

About This Quiz

In the old days, when bragging rights were on the line for the school spelling bee or there was a spelling test to hurry and study for the next day, there was one thing that could make a nervous speller's heart skip a beat: the mighty flashcard. Although we're not sure whether today's students love 'em or hate 'em (or if they have school spelling bees or even spelling tests anymore), we know they can be an effective learning aid for helping memorize words ... well ... in a flash! How? There have been some studies performed that show that flashcards can actually improve your memorization skills and retention capabilities. Seeing words over and over on a flashcard is like a sticky mental "glue," helping you recall what you've seen flashed before your eyes, oh, a few dozen times.

We're going to use flashcards in this lesson, but not exactly how you might remember them. We'll flash an image of an object and then give you four options for its proper spelling. Don't be fooled by the three distractors; key in on the right answer and choose it fast. Time is ticking! We want to see if you can nail 40 spelling words in less than seven minutes (that's almost six per minute). We know you can do it – we have faith in your inner spelling bee champion!

You might document your travels or write all of your secrets in one of these. What is it called?

Diarry

Diary

Dairy

Diery

Most diaries (that's plural for diary, don't you know) are considered "top secret" information by their owners. Diaries are books of blank paper used to jot down personal thoughts or feelings, sometimes sealed with a lock.

Don't forget this when you go on vacation! Which of these can help capture your best memories?

Camera

Camara

Camerra

Cammera

Cameras--whether digital or disposable--used to be a staple in a vacationer's carry-on. Today, most of us walk around with a camera all the time--in the form of one or more apps on our smartphones.

Spauln / mattjeacock / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

You can't use one for this quiz, but which of these can help you with spellings and pronunciations?

Dictianery

Dictshinary

Dictionery

Dictionary

Do you wish you had a dictionary right now? We bet you do! Dictionaries used to be common in print form in homes and offices, but with the internet today, you have a million "dictionaries" literally at your fingertips at all times.

JoKMedia / mattjeacock / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

If you want to cut something, you'll need a pair of these. How do you spell its name?

Scisors

Sicissors

Scissors

Scisorrs

We've come a long way from the blunt-tipped scissors we were handed in kindergarten to cut construction paper. Today, scissors vary based on their intended function, from kitchen shears to those ideal for cutting fabric.

duckycards / mattjeacock / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

You need one of these to legally operate a motor vehicle. What is it called?

License

Lisense

Licinse

Lisinze

In most states, you can get a learner's permit somewhere around the age of 15, followed by a driver's license at age 16. Every few years, you have to renew your license and update any information that has changed.

kyoshino / mattjeacock / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

A printed version or digital one, this tool can help keep you organized. What is it?

Calandar

Calendar

Calander

Calender

A calendar, whether print or digital, lays out your weeks or months so that you can see what's coming up. Many calendars will also provide designations for holidays, so you know when you can get a little R&R.

Which of these is a tool you can use to tell the current temperature?

Thermomiter

Thermometer

Thirmometir

Thermometter

There are many different types of thermometers out there, including varieties that tell us what the temperature is outside as well as versions that allow us to take our own temperature when we're feeling under the weather.

How do you spell the name of a yellow fruit that's full of potassium?

Bananas

Bannanas

Banannas

Baananas

Believe it or not, bananas are a member of the berry family (while raspberries are not)! They are quite high in potassium, as well as vitamins C and B6, making them a good addition to an individual's diet.

You can tell how fast you're going, how much fuel you have left or what your oil pressure is with which of these vehicle features?

Gauge

Gage

Gouge

Guage

Cars have changed a lot over the years, but one thing that hasn't changed in most models is a variety of gauges – speedometers, tachometers, fuel, pressure, etc. – that appear on a vehicle's dashboard.

ozgurartug / mattjeacock / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

This patterned material is designed to help conceal. What do we call it?

Camoflagge

Camoflagh

Camouflage

Camoflage

It's no coincidence that both the military and hunters use camouflage when out in the field. Its ability to help conceal the person wearing it makes it ideal for staying out of the line of sight of bad guys and deer.

Wiki Commons / mattjeacock / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

Abraham Lincoln gave a pretty memorable one of these. Which of these words is in its title?

Address

Adress

Addres

Addriss

Delivered in 1863 on a battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" is considered to be one of the greatest speeches ever given, even at a mere 272 words long.

Yuri_Arcurs / mattjeacock / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

If you get named to one of these, get prepared to attend a lot of meetings. What is it called?

Comitte

Committee

Comittee

Commitee

Committees are made of up people who share a similar interest in something specific. For example, a leadership committee in an office might be concerned with a business' overall operations.

Tom Brady ... LeBron James ... Aaron Judge. These guys are all examples of which of these?

Athlette

Athleet

Athelete

Athlete

Athletes exists at all levels, from high school and college to professional leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB. Athletes like Tom Brady, LeBron James and Aaron Judge are some of the top-performing in their respective fields.

The right piece of this can completely tie together an outfit. How it is spelled?

Jewlry

Jewelry

Jewlery

Jewellry

Rings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches ... we love anything with the right dose of sparkle. The Hope Diamond, on display at the National Museum of Natural History, still holds the title of the world's most expensive piece of jewelry.

If you ever have to give blood, it will be analyzed here. How do you spell it?

Laberatory

Labretory

Labratory

Laboratory

Laboratories around the world do things like analyze blood samples, look for cures for diseases and even test DNA profiles to help identify an individual's ancestry. Many of these functions are carried out by scientists and trained technicians.

This is the result of two people exchanging wedding vows. What is it called?

Marriage

Marraige

Marreige

Marrage

Weddings may include Elvis impersonators, pastors or best friends, but a marriage exists between the two people who entered into the commitment. A marriage license seals the deal!

BlackJack3D / mattjeacock / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

The most famous of these is the International Space Station. How do you spell it?

Sattalite

Sattelite

Satelite

Satellite

The International Space Station, which hovers in orbit above the planet Earth, is perhaps the most well-known satellite for most people. It is jointly used by the U.S., Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada.

Most people don't write letters anymore, but if they did, they'd need this. How do you spell it?

Stayshunerry

Staytionery

Stationary

Stationery

This one was a bit of a trick question, since both "stationery" and "stationary" are proper spellings of the word. Only "stationery" refers to paper, though, while "stationary" means that something is not moving around.

Frogs and toads are both classified as this type of species. How do you spell it?

Amfibian

Anphibian

Amphibian

Anfibian

The amphibian exhibit at the zoo is always a well-attended display, full of jumpy, scaly critters like frogs, toads and salamanders. By design, you'll find amphibians around water, which is necessary for their survival.

Hipsters love to eat this on toast, but how do you spell it?

Avacado

Avocado

Avicado

Aveycado

It's another one of those words that we pronounce differently from how it's spelled. Avocados are considered part of the berry family and offer many health benefits in addition to being mmm, mmm, tasty.

KIWI / mattjeacock / Moment / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

You might get one of these on your birthday, anniversary or Valentine's Day. How do you spell it?

Bowquet

Bokay

Boquet

Bouquet

Floral bouquets are a popular gift to celebrate certain occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays like Valentine's Day. Bouquets are simply assortments of flowers bundled together.

Cinderella's Fairy Godmother turned a pumpkin into one of these. What was it?

Carraige

Carriage

Carrage

Careage

If you've never ridden in a carriage, don't worry, you're not alone. We're not sure how comfy a pumpkin turned into one would be, but Cinderella's Fairy Godmother made it happen.

Jasius / mattjeacock / Moment / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

This little guy will grow into a beautiful butterfly one day. What is he now, though?

Cattepiler

Cattapilar

Catapiller

Caterpillar

Caterpillars turn into butterflies through a process known as metamorphosis (another tricky word to spell). Most of us aren't crazy about the wiggly leg caterpillar stage, but we sure do think butterflies are lovely.

Vostok / mattjeacock / Moment / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

Singer Sia wanted to swing from one of these. How do you spell it?

Chandeleer

Shandalier

Chandelier

Shandaleer

Sia's song about swinging from a chandelier might be a thinly veiled reference to partying ... a lot of partying. We're all in favor of having a good time, but just keep it safe, please!

For some, this is the next step after graduating high school. How is it spelled?

Colege

College

Collage

Caulege

Many people opt for either a two-year or even four-year college degree after high school, while others enter vocational training or start working right away. Whatever you are, be a good one, that's all we have to say.

This animal in "Peter Pan" swallowed a clock. How do you spell its animal name?

Crockodille

Crockodile

Crocadile

Crocodile

Known as "Tick-Tock the Crocodile" in Peter Pan, the reptile earned its name for the clock it swallowed. This caused him to give off a tell-tale "tick-tock" sound as he approached, which is not great for hunting expeditions.

Beethoven played one of these brilliantly, despite being deaf. How do you spell it?

Instramint

Insterment

Instrument

Insturment

Beethoven not only was a composer, but a talented musician. While the piano was his instrument of choice, he earned a living playing viola for three years. He continued to compose and play even after losing his hearing, a truly remarkable feat.

Turn this instrument over and over, and you'll never see the same design twice. What is it?

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope

Kaliedascope

Kallidascope

A kaleidoscope is a pretty cool gadget whether you're a child or an adult. Holding it up to your eye and turning it, you're able to see many different patterns which play off light and colored pieces of glass.

Rusanovska / mattjeacock / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

One of these little guys appears on the front of the "Lucky Charms" cereal box? How do you spell it?

Lepracan

Leprachan

Leprechaun

Lepprecaun

Leprechauns aren't real; at least, we don't think they are. They are the product of Irish fairytales, where they're depicted as tiny, bearded creatures who like to cause a wee bit o' trouble.

This is an integral part of making s'mores. How is it spelled?

Marshmallow

Marshmellow

Marshmelow

Marshmalow

Graham crackers, chocolate bars and a gooey marshmallow all come together in this campfire treat to create the perfect sweet "sandwich." You could probably make them in a microwave, too (not that we'd know).

Get caught under one of these and you'll earn a Christmastime kiss. What is it?

Missletoe

Misseltow

Mistletoe

Missiletow

It's where Mommy got caught kissing Santa Claus, and where you're likely to also get caught if you hang out underneath it too long. True mistletoe is actually a parasite that grows on other trees and shrubs.

Sponsored Links

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Get smarter every day! Subscribe & get 1 quiz every week.

Playing quizzes is free! We send trivia questions and personality tests every week to your inbox. By
clicking "Sign Up" you are agreeing to our
privacy policy and confirming that you are 13
years old or over.